AN: Ok, just want to make things very, obviously clear; this story will take place in the second half of the game. When all the story characters have been introduced and are part of the team. I know that it's bleedingly obvious to anyone who has read the first chapter, but in case it's not, now you know! I'm not going to completely retell the events of the game as that would be pretty boring after a while, so forgive me for glossing over them. Some events, yes, I will retell, but not all. This story will be long enough as is. Anyway, please enjoy reading!

Chapter 2:

Killia needed to find Goldion. No; General Bloodis. And he needed to find him alone. He couldn't drag the others into that battle. Into that mess. His mess. Too many had already been hurt in this war, a war that had begun because of one selfish, violent demon.

Void Dark.

Was it his fault that there was a war ravishing the Netherverse? He couldn't be sure. Void Dark had always been wholly full of himself, unpredictable, and utterly spiteful and hateful. How he had managed to amass such power, such a following; Killia may never know.

But…he was fairly certain he knew how Void managed to defeat his own father; abuse of that scar.

That was his fault.

And he had to find a way to fix that.

Bribing a prinnie to secretly search for information about Bloodis' location was incredibly easy. Especially with how little Seraphina paid them. A single sardine was enough. He felt sorry for him, though, so he gave him two. He was a hard worker.

With everyone else busying themselves with eating their share of the curry that Killia had prepared earlier, he slipped away to approach main bridge of the pocket netherworld. Their dimensional gatekeeper was unexpectedly absent. Instead, someone else stood before the bridge before the gateway.

Samuel?

Wasn't he eating curry, too?

Thinking about it, he had been suspiciously absent.

He leaned against the railing, his elbows resting against the guardrails with his head tilted back slightly as he stared up at large windows and out at the vast netherverse outside the pocket netherworld.

In an army filled unusual characters, Samuel was an interesting one. He presented himself as a warrior, but he didn't act like any warrior that Killia had encountered or met before. Snow white hair, blue clothing, and a white sleeveless vest that reached the back of his knees and was cinched at the collar. A deep scar marred his forehead now, but was hidden behind a blue headband.

He was unflinching in his loyalty, fearless on the battlefield, and regarded everyone with a familial pleasantness. Never a flicker of fear or uncertainty on his ever-smiling face.

However, Killia was certain that his air of friendliness was a front for his uncertainty. He had often caught Samuel staring out through the windows of the Pocket netherworld at the universe beyond, a faraway look in his eyes, as if unable to truly comprehend the sight before him.

Maybe he couldn't.

Yet, he gazed at the stars and netherworlds with a heavy heart.

Killia wasn't sure why he allowed Samuel to follow him after realising he had amnesia. He was intent on doing things on his own. Even now, surrounded by too stubborn and determined teammates, he wanted to remain a lone wolf. It was better that way. Safer that way. For everyone.

Yet, he allowed Samuel to tag along. Was it his earnest gratitude? His vulnerability? The way his smile reminded him of Lieze?

He didn't know. Back then or now.

Though, he could admit that he didn't mind his company.

"Oh hey, Killia," Samuel greeted as he finally turned his gaze away from the view of the Netherverse outside.

"What are you doing here?" Killia asked, curious. And, yes, a little suspicious.

Samuel ignored his question, however. "If you're looking for prinnie, he's on a lunch break," he explained, his usual carefree grin plastered on his lips. "I'm covering for him."

Despite his friendliness, Killia couldn't help but feel that there was something else hidden behind his motives. "Is that so?"

Samuel turned around to lean back against the handrails. "He did mention something to me, though."

He knew it.

"I have good news and bad news," he began. "Good news; I know where Bloodis is."

"And the bad news?"

"I'm not letting you through the dimensional gate until you agree you're not going alone."

Killia frowned as Samuel continued to lounge casually in front of the walkway leading to said portal; hands atop of the guardrails, legs purposely stretched out across the path and crossed at the ankles.

"…How many sardines did you bribe him with?"

Samuel held up his fingers. "Three."

Damn, and Killia bribed him with two sardines. He better up his game next time.

"It's better for everyone's sake that I do this alone," Killia insisted. "It's-"

"No, it's not your fault," Samuel interrupted, making no attempt to move.

"But-"

"Yes, yes." Samuel finally stood up but maintained blocking the path. "You feel guilty because you think Goldion was brainwashed and defeated because of you. It's a wrong you must right all on your own. And you're not going to drag others into your problems, even though you've inserted yourself into the troubles of others. Am I right?"

Killia was rendered speechless.

Samuel gave a short, half chuckle as he paced over to him. "I'm psychic," he said, playfully.

He probably wasn't, but he very well could be if he kept showing him up like that.

"I'm kidding. It's written on your face." Samuel shook his head, maintaining that outgoing smile of his. "When, in reality, it was entirety because of Void. Everything was because of him and his maliciousness, his willingness to take advantage of every possible weakness and fault."

That could not be denied. Still, to think that Void would brainwash his own father. The maliciousness he held could not be underestimated.

Samuel raised his right hand and pressed his fist against Killia's chest lightly. "I may not actually be psychic, but we both know what would happen if you managed to sneak out now; They-" he tilted his head toward the cafeteria of the pocket Netherworld, where their teammates were currently dinning on the very curry dinner Killia had cooked for them, "-would immediately track you down, give you the lecture of a lifetime, all the while chewing you out for worrying them."

Yeah…Seraphina would immediately get her guns involved, and then act clingy for literal days afterwards. That was definitely something he could do without.

"Honestly, Bloodis would be the least of our worries," Samuel added for good measure.

"You do have a point," Killia conceded with a defeated sigh. "Alright, fine. You've made your point. I didn't skip out on the lecture after all."

Samuel practically beamed at him as he threw up his hands in an overly apologetic manner. "Sorry, sorry. I'll restrain myself next time."

Killia arched an eyebrow as he rested the knuckles of his right hand on his hip. "Next time?"

"If there is a next time, of course," Samuel quickly amended, before his expression quickly took on a playfully scolding tone. "And there had better not be one."

It took more energy than Killia cared to admit not to wince. There truly were times when Samuel just reminded him so much of Lieze. Little mannerisms like lecturing him, chiding him, while still having utmost faith in him, in spite of everything.

In spite of everything…

"By the way 'our worries?'" Killia asked before he had he could stop himself.

Samuel blinked before he gave a carefree shrug. "Well, of course. I'm your right-hand man, after. Besides, you said to follow you until my memories return, didn't you?"

Well, yeah, he did say that.

"And that includes heading off into unknown netherworlds to face off against brainwashed former mentors," Samuel added for good measure.

That wasn't what he had in mind, however.

A movement from the corner of his eye caused Killia to turn his head to the right, toward a prinnie as they approached. Ah, they were their Dimensional gatekeeper, if he wasn't mistaken.

"Ah, Killia-"

"It's ok," Samuel interrupted. "I've already told him. We're just figuring out what we should do once we get to Sandcano."

Sandcano? That Netherworld's terrain was going to cause them a bit of trouble. And sure to be crawling with Lost Soldiers, more than willing to use the terrain to their advantage. Bloodis was to be within the centre of the Netherworld, attempting to heal from the injury Killia managed to inflict upon him.

There had to be a way they could reach Goldion that was sure to be inside that dark armour, hidden somewhere within.

Maybe…

"Hm? What's going on here?"

Christo's voice quickly Killia pulled from his musings, and he was silently startled that the other demon had already joined him and Samuel.

"Just plotting our next move," Samuel was the one to answer. "It seems that Bloodis has holed himself up in Sandcano."

Christo immediately frowned as he pushed his glasses further up upon the bridge of his nose, a nervous tic of his he had when he was displeased or unsettled. "Hm? I see. So, we're heading to Sandcano? That Netherworld is rather frustrating. We best prepare ourselves for battle, against the Lost and the elements."

"Yeah. We were just discussing that." Killia decided to play along with Samuel's ruse, so not to worry the others, and not to earn their ire should they learn what he had initially planned to do.

"I'll go inform the others, then."

Killia watched as Christo turned on his heel and quickly walked down the steps and back over toward the cafeteria. He waited until he was out of earshot before he turned his head to his left, toward the warrior that stood next to him.

"Samuel?"

"Yeah?"

"We can't let anyone else die."

Samuel knew exactly what he meant. "Of course, we won't," he said as he clasped his shoulder. "I'm your right-hand man, after all."

… … … … …

Samuel winced as he rolled his neck and shoulders to ease out the stresses and knots of post-battle.

They had found Bloodis, like they had wanted. But their plan to use the Final Skill to free him of his brainwashing hadn't gone how they had planned, which was greatly unfortunate. Though, in hindsight, it wasn't that much of a surprise. They kinda went in without much of a plan otherwise.

Well, that wasn't exactly true. They had a plan. For once. It just hinged on someone that wasn't honest. Or ready for that much responsibility.

With Killia and Zeroken needing to be in top shape to use the Final Skill on a defeated Bloodis, Samuel and the others had borne the brunt of the battle. Mostly Samuel and Red Magnus as they were on the frontline, with the others staying further back. They had tried to keep their tactics subtle; Samuel guarding Killia while Red Magnus did the same with Zeroken.

Bloodis seemed to have realised that they were protecting Killia and Zeroken, however, so targeted Samuel and Red Magnus mostly.

They got through that battle. And had Bloodis right where they wanted him, where they needed him.

Only Zeroken wasn't able to perform his half of the Final Skill.

Samuel sighed as he walked along the gangway that hang over the main console of the pocket Netherworld. He reached the corner platform and sat down and dangled his legs over the side as he leaned back on his hands, staring out at the inky blackness of the vast Netherverse beyond the windows.

He wasn't mad at Zeroken. Just disappointed. Especially after learning the truth of what he had endured.

Poor kid.

That was what he was. Just a kid, lost and alone. Like so many others.

Samuel winced again as he rolled his shoulder to ease out another strained knot.

Yeesh. Bloodis wasn't a Demon General for nothing.

Footsteps resounding against the metal pathway alerted Samuel that he had company, and he immediately knew who they were. After all, there was only one other demon that would frequent the bridge above master control panel.

"Hey, Killia," Samuel greeted.

"Samuel," Killia returned in his usual smooth, cool manner. "How are your injuries?"

"Oh, they're fine. Only minor," Samuel replied, dismissively. He never liked talking about himself anyway, so best change the subject. "Don't be too hard on Wolf Pup. He had a lot of expectations thrown at him quite suddenly."

Killia uttered a sigh as he lowered himself to sit down next to him, sitting cross-legged rather than following Samuel's example. "I suppose it was quite sudden."

"Though, it doesn't help his case that he tried to bluff his way through it," Samuel added as he turned his gaze back to the vast, seemingly endless Netherverse. "Honestly, kids these days."

"Yeah."

Kids these days indeed. Don't know how to deal with a war. Not that they should know how to deal with a war. With the brutal death of their parents. With the destruction of their home world.

With the decisions that their parents made.

Samuel inwardly sighed. No kid should have to deal with that.

"What's wrong?" Killia suddenly asked him.

And Samuel immediately plastered a carefree grin on his lips to hide a wince. He thought he had inwardly sighed. He must have let one slip. "Oh no, it's nothing," he insisted, hoping to sound dismissively.

Yet, Killia wasn't convinced, even going as far as to arch a sceptical eyebrow at him. "I don't believe that."

Guess there was no point in lying to the guy.

Samuel heaved a sigh, his shoulder drooping forward with mild fatigue, as he turned his gaze back toward the endless expanse of the Netherverse. "It's just…it's clear you're all haunted by your pasts, and I don't know what that's like. Not really."

Killia made a quiet sound of surprise and disbelief. "You're not haunted by a past you don't remember?"

He…he guessed he was. In a way. He remembered major facts. Like the name Nugatory, and how he wasn't to talk about it to anyone. About what happened beneath the stormy surface of the hidden, lost Netherworld. Of the war that raged inside. About certain…facts.

He knew those things…at least, he thought he did.

"That's a little bit different," Samuel said with a slight shake of his head. "I'm…unsettled by what ifs. You're haunted by facts and truths. You know exactly what you've lost. You know exactly who and what is responsible. You know and remember exact details. You've all lost so much, and I'm not sure how to help with that."

Even if he could help with that.

How could he begin to help Killia with that? With anything?

Killia remained silent for the longest moment, allowing Samuel's words to mull around in his head as he carefully chose his next words. "I guess I understand how you feel."

Samuel turned toward him with his head titled to the side in curiosity. "Hm?"

"I don't know how to help you with recovering your memories."

Samuel blinked before he gave a short chuckle. "You have more important things to worry about right now."

Killia arched an eyebrow. "Recovering your memories aren't important?

With a lopsided smile, Samuel nudged Killia's shoulder with his own. "Not when there's a war going on, dingus."

Honestly, and the guy had the nerve to not want to drag anyone into his troubles when he's willingly sticking his nose into other people's messes.

He was unable to stop a frown from making its way to his lips and he regarded Killia with a look of curiosity. "There is something else bothering me, though."

"What is it?"

"I overheard your conversation Usalia earlier," he began, carefully choosing his words. "You said that it is your past that is your reason for living. Your need for revenge is what is keeping you going. I just can't help but wonder if my past is the same."

That brought a deep frown to Killia's lips as his eyes flickered over to the windows, and to the Netherverse beyond.

Since that short conversation, it had been weighing on Samuel's mind. Maybe he…didn't want to remember his past. Maybe that was the reason he was so blasé about it?

"Or, maybe, if my past is a reason for me to…stop living."

Killia snapped his sharp gaze in Samuel's direction, and he immediately realised he had said that last part aloud.

Looking away, Samuel abruptly straightened his posture, raised his hands, and slapped his palms on each side of his face simultaneously, startling Killia in the process once more. "Right."

"What are you-?"

"Ok, that got dark real quick," Samuel continued, cutting Killia off, before turning back toward him and giving him a purposely curious look. "Anyway, let's focus on the present here. Are you going to try to hunt down Bloodis so soon?"

Killia stared at Samuel for the longest second, completely caught off guard by him. He soon snapped out of it, thankfully, and nodded his head. "Ah, yeah. He's been weakened further by that battle. We need to continue. We have to find a way to free him from his brainwashing. We just have to."

"Right. Got it." Samuel hefted himself up on his feet. He lingered crouched down, hands on his knees and eyelevel with Killia, however. "I hope Wolf Pup is ready to learn the Final Skill from you."

And Samuel managed to surprise Killia once again. "What?"

Samuel winked at him. "Psychic, remember."

The corners of Killia's mouth twitched into a half smirk as he moved to stand up, too. "I'm beginning to think that you are at this point."

Samuel shot him a smile as the two of them made their way off of the gangway.

His past was a puzzle, but it would have to wait a bit longer to be solved. Hopefully, with Killia and Zeroken's efforts, they could free Goldion from his brainwashing and put an end to this war sooner than anyone expected.

…His own past would just have to wait.